Managing PCOS: What You Can Do

Affecting as many as five million women in America, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) disrupts the menstrual cycle, which can lead to fertility issues. Caused by excessive testosterone and insulin, PCOS can produce various symptoms, such as irregular periods, extra weight gain, acne flare ups, and hair on the face, chest, or back. At IVF Plano, we can diagnose and treat PCOS.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine abnormality in reproductive aged women affecting approximately 5-10% of this population. (NEJM 1995;333:853) The classic triad of this syndrome consists of chronic anovulation, hirsutism, and obesity. PCOS was first discovered by Stein and Leventhal (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1935;29:181) and its management has confused clinicians ever since. The exciting news recently involves understanding the contribution of insulin resistance to the etiology and treatment of PCOS. This newsletter will review the endocrinopathy and medical consequences of PCOS as well as examine the current understanding of insulin resistance and the use of insulin sensitizing agents.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine abnormality in reproductive-aged women affecting approximately 5-10% of this population. The classic triad of this syndrome consists of chronic ovulation dysfunction, hirsutism (male pattern hair growth) and obesity. The exciting news recently involves understanding the contribution of insulin resistance to the etiology and treatment of PCOS as well as the recent addition of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool.

In our practice, we often treat polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), also referred to as polycystic ovaries (PCO) or polycystic ovarian disease, (PCOD). This condition affects as many as five million women in America. With PCOS, one of the main causes of infertility in women, regular reproductive processes, like the menstrual cycle, don’t function properly.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a reproductive endocrine disorder that affects approximately 5-10% of reproductive age women. While years of research have been conducted to try to determine the etiology of this syndrome, it continues to remain an enigma. To our best knowledge right now, PCOS may have a multifactorial etiology involving genetics, environmental factors as well as fetal and childhood exposures. While PCOS can have a wide spectrum of manifestations and symptoms, the common denominators are menstrual irregularity, increased male hormone actions, insulin resistance and a characteristic appearance of the ovaries on sonogram. While many women with PCOS are obese – and this may exacerbate the symptomatology – thin women can have PCOS as well.